Sails for your feet.

If you're examining high-end road shoes from Fi'zi:k, you'll notice a few subtle differences between its top R1 Uomo offering and its R3 Uomo Shoes. First, the closure on the R3 utilizes a lightweight aluminum buckle in place of the R1's Hex/MC carbon fiber version. Second, the insole of the R3 is Fi'zi:k's Dual Density iteration versus the 3D Flex design. Besides these minor changes, the shoes are practically identical. They're handmade in Italy with the same craftsmanship and attention to detail that only come with this revered tagline. Features such as an advanced carbon fiber sole design, ultra-soft kangaroo leather uppers, and durable sail cloth straps are all present in the R3 package.

For a secure, adjustable retention, the R3 Uomo incorporates two hook-and-loop straps along with Fi'zi:k's lightweight, durable aluminum ratcheting buckle. This system allows you to fully tune the fit and volume of the shoes, both pre-ride and on-the-fly. The bottom two straps control the snugness of the fit at the metatarsal and instep areas. These straps are best adjusted before you hit the road and left alone thereafter.

The ratcheting strap is what dictates the entry and exit adjustments. The loading lever is made from aluminum that's been mated to a stainless steel base. It has a double-click adjustment capability with a full-release mechanism at the middle of the lever. Together, the three strap system eliminates any internal foot slippage that depreciates your efficiency. To evenly distribute pressure across the top of the foot, Fi'zi:k made the strap dimensions wide. The strap design allows you to easily lengthen or shorten the strap in order to precisely dial-in the volume of the shoe. Also, each strap has been crafted from fully-adjustable length sail cloth in order to bolster durability, while maintaining a low overall weight. For a complete control over volume, or simply to efficiently clean the inside of the shoe, Fi'zi:k designed the tongue pad to be fully-removable.

To further control slippage, the R3 Uomo has shaped the heel cup at the aft position of the shoe. This feature keeps the foot in the perfect position on hard up-strokes and while climbing out of the saddle. As a result, you're powering the pedals comfortably and efficiently. This has been further heightened by a variable stiffness sole construction. The base layer is an ultra-stiff carbon fiber plate. Meanwhile, the second layer has been positioned close to the heel. This layer is constructed from a material called Tepex, which is a little more malleable than the carbon fiber in order to accommodate and support multiple heel and arch sizes. Encompassing both of these layers is a polyurethane Mobius rail that strikes the ideal balance between elasticity and rigidity. Together, the multiple layers work hand-in-hand with the insole and 3D upper to keep the heel in place and to maximize comfort.

For the insole, Fi'zi:k included its own Dual Density EVA insert. And while it's not moldable like with the R1's 3D Flex, it does incorporate a supportive design that assures comfort by absorbing road vibration and supporting your arch system.

The Fi'zi:k R3 Uomo Shoes are available in odd and even sizes ranging from 40.0 to 48.0 and in the colors Black/red/white and White/royal blue.

Have an answer for a.j100396619?

Problems with SPD-SL system

Fit:
True to size

Do not buy small-medium size if you intend to use it with SPD-SL system. I got the 41.5 size and the curvature of the sole is blending the cleat too much and could not engage properly with my pd-5700 pedals. This is a big design flaw.

I had to workaround this by using a washer and loosing some screws, not a great solution and defeats the purpose. Unfortunately it is already too late to return this flawed product. Very disappointed that Fizik did not do more thorough testing across their shoe sizes.

Comment on Will's review:

Did not hold up.

Familiarity:
I've put it through the wringer

Well, I received these shoes as a gift, and had very high hopes for them. Unfortunately, they fell apart in less than a year. One of the strap end plates came off, and the heel pads broke, and fell off. The heel pads are held in with tiny screws, and the screws constantly came loose. I didn't even really walk a lot in the shoes.

They were comfortable while they lasted, and had pretty good ventilation, as well. Living in Phoenix has a way of testing a shoes ventilation, and these did pretty good. The fit was a little on the loose side, in the toe box, and the overall fit was true to size. I never experienced any hot spots, or weird fit issues. I used both Look, and Speedplay cleats on 'em.

Comment on Kevhogaz's review:

Comfortable, Lightweight Shoes

Familiarity:
I've used it once or twice and have initial impressions

These are great shoes. You can't beat the discounted price. The only thing one need to worry about is the size. If one has wider feet like I do and as other reviewers mentioned in their posts, it is recommend getting one size higher. I did some try outs at REI, checked out few other shoes to make my decision. I needed 44.5, I got 45.5 of these shoes. I like the nice mesh outer it feels nice and comfortable inside also provides some flex. I highly recommend.

Comment on jchp1077909's review:

Jury is still out-not any more...

Familiarity:
I've used it several times

I had similar issues with size chart as others. My Giro Factors are my favorite shoe at size 45. Using the chart I ordered the R3's in 44.5 but they were very tight. CC was very responsive and shipped me a pair of 45's that seem to fit OK although a little tight in width of forefoot. I had understood that these had a more generous toebox than average but I do not agree with that. They are gorgeous shoes and manufacturing looks great-time will tell. I'm a little disappointed in the ventilation-there are no air inlets in sole-ventilation is left up to the mesh uppers. I get a little bit of 'hot foot' on soles of feet but I'm in GA where we are biking in 90+ heat. I'll give them a few more rides before I pronounce them as hot shoes. Sole is light weight and super stiff. I really want to like these shoes so maybe a few more rides to break in. I think they are the first shoes I've owned in years that I've had so many comments about how sharp they look. Follow up: I ruined two pair of socks because the blue inner cuff bled blue dye on them from sweat. Finally returned-too many negatives.

Comment on Bill Brown's review:

Incorrect size chart

Familiarity:
I returned this product before using it

The size chart for a US 10.5 reflects 44. When the shoes arrived the tag inside the shoe did note 44 but the US size in the shoe was 10. When I tried on the shoe is was 1/2 size too small. Beware when ordering. It appears there is an error in the size chart. When customer care contacted they promptly reshipped next size and sent authorization for return.

Shoe size charts are indeed suspect. I did a lot of research before ordering my R3s in size 42, and the fit is perfect. For reference, I wear 42 in Specialized and DMT. I have been wearing 42.5 in Giro road and MTB shoes, but these shoes always feel cramped in the toebox.

For someone like me with high arches and a wide metatarsal area, the R3 is great. Nevertheless, I feel like I got lucky making an educated guess on sizing. And since this is my first pair of Fiziks, I can't comment on manufacturing consistency.

Comment on Mark W.'s review:

Comfy, high quality, great ventilation

Familiarity:
I've used it several times

I came from a pair of 2013 Giro Empires, size 43 the most comfortable cycling shoes I've ever used. I also bought the R3s in size 43. However, in high heat and humidity, the lack of ventilation in the Empires caused me to look for shoes that were more for the summer.

The 2014 R3's fit that bill nicely. The nylon mesh makes up a large part of the shoe, so it was extremely nice to feel some wind in my feet on these hot summer rides. The fit compared to the Giro was nearly identical, the toe area being slightly smaller. If you have wide feet, I guess these wouldn't fit very well.

These don't have high arches that seemed to plague the 2012-2013 version of these shoes. They're supposed to be totally redesigned for a wider selection of feet sizes.

Overall extremely comfortable, extremely good ventilation and they look awesome.

Comment on Patrick Choi's review:

Incorrect size chart info

Familiarity:
I returned this product before using it

The shoes look real good and seem well made. I really liked them. However it's too small for me. All my cycling shoes from other brands (Bont, Shimano, Specialized) are size 43. I checked the size printed in the shoe and while it is indeed size 43, which is what I ordered, it also says it is US size 9. The size chart in Competitive's product page says 43 = 9.5 (US). Checked Fizik's official website and the size chart is even farther off. I still want them, immediately RMA'd for replacement to a larger size.

Comment on Joel T.'s review:

Great quality, narrow fit

Just received these in the mail and two things stand out: 1. The fit and finish is superb 2. They look much better in person than they do in photos

I tried them on, and the materials are nice and supple - they fit like a glove.

I'd heard rumors about them having a "wide toe box". Unfortunately, they are pretty standard cycling-shoe width, which is fairly narrow. I wear a D-width dress shoe and my feet hang over the sides of the carbon soles on these. I ordered a size 46, and the sole measured about 96mm at its widest point. In comparison to other brands, these are as narrow as DMTs, Giros and regular Sidis. Specialized S-Works (2013, regular) are slightly wider, and Shimano R170s (regular) are even wider still. Those with wide feet can squeeze into the R3s because of the supple upper material, but you'd be more comfortable in something wider.

I wear a 46.5 Sidi Genius 6 Mega, and they are a little roomy for me in the toebox (not the forefoot). I was told to size down 0.5 for the R3s, but I think I should've sized up to a 47, because the R3s were also slightly short. Even the few mm of width that extra size would've given me still wouldn't be enough to make them comfortable. Oh well...

As for the sizing questions - it'd be great if Competitive Cyclist and other websites would start providing some actual measurements for their shoes. I'm sure it would prevent a lot of returns, and the lasts probably don't change much from year to year.